The wrestling team's Jeff Schell '08 represented Brown this weekend at the NCAA Championships in Annapolis, Md. Unfortunately, Schell's trip was short-lived, as he was defeated in his first two matches and eliminated from the tournament.
"For a freshman, it was a great experience," said Head Coach Dave Amato. "He got to see what it takes to win, and I think he learned from it."
Schell had a tough match-up in the first round, facing Oklahoma University's Sam Hazewinkel, the No. 1 seed in the 125-pound weight class. Schell wrestled well, but Hazewinkel had a clear edge in talent and experience, and defeated Schell 13-3.
Schell's next match was against another first-year, Shawn Cordell of West Virginia. Schell was more evenly matched against Cordell, but he again lost, this time 5-1, although the match was much closer than the score indicated.
Despite the losses, Schell and Amato agree that it was a positive experience, important for Schell's development as a wrestler, both technically and emotionally.
"I thought it was a great experience," Schell said. "It definitely gives me something to look forward to for the next three years."
Going to the NCAA Champion-ships was a huge achievement for a first-year, especially on a team that did not have anyone who had gone before on the roster. But for Schell, the trip was simply another part of the high standard to which he holds himself.
"I understand it's a pretty big accomplishment, but I thought I could definitely do it," Schell said. "I think it's a matter of how well you perform - not so much age."
The tournament caps a strong rookie campaign for Schell, who went 20-6 for the Bears, losing only two dual-meet matches.
"I thought he had a good freshman year," Amato said. "He was having a great year until the end. That last three or four weeks (can be tough after) a long season for freshmen."
The tournament also showed Schell what he needs to work on in order to advance as a wrestler. Amato cited his offense in the standing position as an area that needs improvement, and Schell is determined to work hard during the off-season and come back stronger next year.
"What I've seen at Nationals just showed me I want to step it up," Schell said. "I'm definitely going to step it up in training. If I want to not just go (to Nationals), but to place, I need to work accordingly."
Schell's losses mark the end of the season for the Bears, but the team is confident that it will come back next year and earn the honors at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships and the NCAA Championships that it narrowly missed this year. The Bears came into the season hoping to finish in the top three in the Ivy League and in the top five in the EIWA, but bad outings against Columbia and at Easterns denied them their goals.
"I think the team ... knows we're real close to competing at the top-20 level," Amato said. "There's a lot of light at the end of the tunnel. It's frustrating because we were so close but didn't get it."
The Bears lose only Heath Lohrman '05 to graduation, so the team will be much more experienced next year.
"I think we're in a great position for next season," Schell said. "We have a lot of juniors that are going to be leading the team as seniors, and the freshmen will have another year under their belts."
